Assignment 1 Discussion and Evaluation - Page 1

Although I have not had the time to implement this project in its entirety, I have been able to implement the introductory critical evaluation of websites for research as well as some of the critical literacy questioning related to blogs.   I found that a Year 11 Social and Community studies class responded well to this approach of critical evaluation of websites. This task, a spin off from the webquest task, required students to summarise information on a government website and then comment on the reliability of the site. (see Appendix)

By integrating new literacies (blogs) I hope to provide an authentic  output for student learnings. Blogs, as such provide a

‘ useful prompt for the further rethinking of teaching practices in the pursuit of supporting socially constructed learning practices’ (Duffy, Peter and Bruns, Axel (2006)

This is particularly relevant because my teaching practice is firmly embedded in the social constructivist theory of learning.

"social constructivism", which emphasises how meanings and understandings grow out of social encounters (Atherton, James 2010)

The student’s in this class have a variety of digital literacy skills, interests in and exposure to online technologies. As such, I needed to provide challenge for the more able students as well as support for the less able students. My approach, as below, is designed to tap into popular internet technologies as well as provide an opportunity for students to achieve at their own level.

Before using blogs, for example, I would explore various styles of blogs with the students so that they have an idea of the 'genre' by deconstructing examples. The critical study of blogs is very interesting and something that is good to do with students......students can look at the various ways that the author tries to position the reader, whether the text is neutral or not, and also, blogs are a great way of giving the students the opportunity to think about their own attitudes and values....and maybe even develop opinions on social issues.  (Carmel Mayer, discussion, 9.4.10)